i echo president obama sentiments about nelson mandela. reagan had mandela, as well as bush, he was considered a terrorist. it is funny how when we look , martinthese folks luther king and mandela, two of humans in theble century. they were looked upon during their lives, not so much as the heroes that they are now. just remember that. host: john, thank you for the call. this piece from "ast." why mandela? what exactly makes nelson mandela so special? apart from the fact that he emerged from 27 years in apartheid prisons bearing so little malice. he insisted on reconciliation being central to a truth commission in order to heal wounds caused by years of bitter racial hatred. bok rugby a spring jersey in a bold bid to unite the nation behind the mainly white south african team. he stepped down after just one term, unlike too many world leaders who cling to it until they -- it destroys them or the nation they are leading. next is james, grand forks, north dakota. republican mind, good morning. -- republican line, good morning. caller: i am c